General transfer hydrogenation by activating ammonia-borane over cobalt nanoparticles†
Abstract
Cobalt nanoparticles containing both Co2+ and Co0 species supported on carbon nitride can function as heterogeneous nanocatalysts for a general transfer hydrogenation reaction in aqueous ammonia-borane solution at room temperature. The conversions of nitroarenes, olefins, imines, aldehydes, ketones and cyanobenzene are high with superior selectivity under mild conditions. This noble-metal-free catalyst is also cheap and reusable.